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Kagiso Rabada cleared to play in Third Test against Australia after overturning of ban

March 20, 2018

Image Credit - AFP

Kagiso Rabada was banned for two matches after being adjudged to have deliberately made contact with Steve Smith in the second Test

Following an appeal by the pacer, the Kagiso Rabada ban has now been overturned

Rabada is now free to play in the crucial Newlands Test for South Africa

South Africa’s premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has won an appeal to have his two-match ban overturned and has been cleared to play in the final two Test matches against Australia, including the crucial Newlands Test starting from Thursday (March 22). The verdict regarding overturning the Kagiso Rabada ban came after a judicial commissioner ruled that the pacer’s contact with Australia skipper Steve Smith was not deliberate.

Having initially been deemed to have deliberately made contact with Steve Smith after dismissing him in the second Test, Kagiso Rabada was handed over a punishment which took him to eight demerit points in a 24-month period, resulting in a two-Test ban. However, the charge has now been reduced on Kagiso Rabada’s appeal, leaving him free to play in the remainder of this series.

Kagiso Rabada’s hearing was held under judicial commissioner Michael Heron and delivered by advocate Dali Mpofu, wherein they decided to overturn match referee Jeff Crowe’s verdict and subsequently downgrade Rabada’s sanction to a level one offence. As a result, the Kagiso Rabada ban has now been converted into one demerit point and him being fined 25% of his match fee.

Kagiso Rabada’s appeal and the subsequent overturning of his ban will also come as good news to the South African camp as they will be thrilled to have their in-form fast bowler available for the remainder of a crucial series that is currently level at one match apiece with two Tests to play.

A statement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) said, as reported by Cricbuzz, that South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada had “been found not guilty of the charge of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player” and instead been “found guilty of conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.

The ICC statement added, that it had “imposed a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and one demerit point”, following Kagiso Rabada ban.

“This brings the player’s demerit points to a cumulative total of seven and he is free to play with immediate effect.”